The Department of Public Enterprise published a draft Electronic Commerce Bill on 13th August containing outline proposals on electronic signatures, electronic contracts and related matters. The Bill, one of the first to be published in the EU, follows a consultation process between Government and industry to address the need for legislation to underpin Ireland’s development as a hub for electronic commerce.
The draft Bill comes a mere two weeks after the publication of the UK E-Commerce Bill. Many commentators have noted the contrast between the light regulatory touch adopted in the draft Irish Bill when compared with its UK equivalent. The Department of Public Enterprise, in the draft Bill explained its desire to ensure that the Bill be as "technology neutral" as possible to encompass future technological developments.
